Published 4:55 pm, Saturday, December 21, 2013

Center Paul Haushill of Harding, guard Bruno Amato of Stamford and tackle John Kitik of Seymour were selected to the All-State first-team in football. Back John Henry of Seymour, tackle Dan Taylor and center Pete DeAngelo of Shelton, and ends Hugh Collins and Bill McAllister of Ansonia, Joe Vitko of Stratford and Jim Tisdale of Harding were members of the second-team.

50 Years Ago--1963

Seymour product John Henry scored on runs of one and 71 yards while former Harding High standout Herb Sutton and Tony Tavares also scored as the Ansonia Black Knights defeated the Baltimore Broncos 26-19 in an Atlantic Coast Football League game before 5,500 fans at Nolan Field. QB Vin Drake directed the attack.

40 Years Ago--1973

The New England Colonials ripped the Bridgeport Hi-Ho Jets 41-17 to win the Atlantic Coast Football League crown before 10,000 disappointed Kennedy Stadium fans.

30 Years Ago--1983

Before a crowd of 2,500 at Bethel High School that braved steady snowfall, St. Joseph shut out New Fairfield 20-0 for the CIAC Class SS championship as Bruce Perry scored on runs of one and 11 yards, upping his total to 30 and breaking the state record for touchdowns in a single season. He eclipsed the previous record of 29 that was shared by Harding's Larry Rudd (1972), Rockville's Joe Calaci (1969) and East Hartford's Larry Komarenko (1976). Perry finished as the state's leading scorer with 198 points. Mike Rivard tacked on an eight-yard run and QB Bob Ventresca was 10-of-23 passing for the Cadets, who finished 11-0 under first year coach Christy Hayes. It was their fourth straight title and ran their win streak to 39 straight. ... Derek Abitz scored on a 36-yard interception return and a 40-yard run as Ansonia blanked Stamford Catholic 32-0 in the Class S final at a muddy Trumbull High field. Earl Stanley added a pair of short TD carries and Glen Antrum caught a 10-yard TD pass from Jeff Coppola. ... Undefeated Greenwich became the first team to win 12 games in state football history by beating West Haven 14-6 before 7,000 at Kennedy Stadium. ... Coach Guido's Maiolo's Ridgefield High Tigers won the school's first Class L crown over Hall 20-7 at Central Connecticut State as Andy Bellagamba carried 19 times for 176 yards while Mike Viggiano scored on runs of 30 and 17 yards.

No. 3 seed Shelton (12-1) earned its fourth state football championship with a 35-18 win over No. 1 seed Staples (13-1) in the Class L final before close to 2,500 at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven as Jeff Norko was outstanding with a pair of 82-yard kickoff returns and a 48-yard run. The loss cost the Wreckers its chance to become the first 14-0 team in state history. The Gaels also got a 32-yard kickoff return by Bill Manion and Scott Sember's 65-yard TD pass to Thomas Haney. Joe Czarnecki, who had a rare day without a touchdown, did carry 21 times for 202 yards. It was coach Joe Benanto's second state title at the school. D. J. Stefkovich scored on a 20-yard run and hooked up with Kempton Coady on a 69-yard TD pass in defeat. ... No. 3 seed East Lyme upset No. 1 seed Masuk 17-14 in the Class MM final before 2,000 fans at Strong Stadium. The loss also cost coach John Murphy's 13-1 Lions a chance at becoming the state's first 14-0 team. Mike Diaz's 27-yard pass from Anthony Wargo gave Masuk a 14-10 lead with less than six minutes left in the game. Masuk's first score came when sophomore Roberto Muniz recovered a fumble in the end zone. Wargo finished 11-of-26 passing for 161 yards. ... Ansonia bested Cromwell 55-0 for the Class SS crown as UConn-bound Kenny Tinney (218 yards on 16 carries) scored on runs of four and 14 yards and Ryan Thomas on carries of 60, 11 and four yards.

asulzycki@ctpost.com or 203-330-6210

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